After a brief hiatus, this month I'll start off once again in the United Kingdom with "Supernatural" from a band called Bennet. From there we'll head back to the United States and sample some decidedly non-American sounding dance music by Bally Sagoo and "Rising from the East". Cranes will round off the March World Beat report with their latest entitled "Population Four".

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Bennet - "Super Natural"

1997 Roadrunner Records - RR 8866 2

What do you think you'd end up with if you threw together the melodies and pop sensibility of the Beatles with the hard-edged thrash and youthful exuberance of, say, Stone Temple Pilots? One good example might be Bennet, an up and coming UK band poised to make its grand entrance in the States.

Their debut CD, "Super Natural" has already spawned four singles overseas, the first of which, "If You Met Me, Then You'd Like Me" made it into the Independent Top 10 a year ago. Bennet is a four member group which, in this image conscious world, has jumped in with both feet and charted a clear identity for itself right off the bat. And their music ain't bad either!

The guitar work is raw enough to make Seattle stand up and take note, but at the same time the decidedly british melodies and stylings temper the hard edges and make "Super Natural" a really interesting disc to listen to again and again. The liner notes credit everyone involved in writing the songs, but Vocal/Guitarist Jason Applin gets most of the credit for the band's lyrics, which, in my opinion, really make Bennet shine.

Sometimes with a social conscience, often downright funny, the lyrics are clear and well thought out. From the decidedly anti-womanizing theme of "Wanker" to the biting (and hilarious) "I Hate My Family" and "Cha Cha Charley" these songs are infectious! After only the second listening, I found myself humming the melody of "Mum's Gone to Iceland". After the third time around, I couldn't get the song out of my head!

Incidentally, "Mum's Gone to Iceland" is Bennet's latest single and, while I don't know if there are plans to release it in the U.S., it should be available as an import by the time you read this. While there is no telling whether fickle America will embrace Bennet the way Europe already has, I can say that, at least from my point of view, Bennet is one of the best new bands to come out of England in the last couple years and "Super Natural" would be a welcomed addition to most any collection!

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Cranes - "Population Four"

1997 - Dedicated - 71702-44005-2

The Cranes, fronted by the brother/sister duo of Alison and Jim Shaw have been around for nearly a decade and their fourth disc, "Population Four", should be on the shelves by the time you read this. The promotional literature accompanying this disc lauded the band's popularity, especially in Central and Eastern Europe and disclosed a great deal of excitement and expectation for the album. Unfortunately, I can't seem to get caught up in the hype.

Critics have, in the past, swooned over this band's capabilities, especially over Alison Shaw's vocals. While I can certainly vouch for the band's musical expertise, I found Shaw's voice child-like and sparse, nearly to the point of being outright irritating. I made several attempts to acclimate myself to her style, but just couldn't get past the image that I was listening to the trilling of a ten-year-old. The band seems to try to capitalize on her unusual vocals, and I can't quite say I understand why. While "Population Four" will probably appeal to those who are fans of the Cranes already, I can't recommend this one to the casual listener. Listen at your own risk.

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Bally Sagoo - "Rising From The East"

1996 - Tristar Music - WK36850

With "Rising From The East", Bally Sagoo once again brings together traditional Indian vocals and harmonies with upbeat and decidedly Western rhythms. The result is a nearly flawless, original sound that is at the same time funky and danceable and just simply interesting for casual listening. Sagoo does not create the traditional dance club fare. Intricate vocals and Eastern instrumentation combine with driving, house-beat rhythms to create something bigger -- something that transcends the music you might normally equate to dance clubs. I enjoyed the entire disc, but found myself returning again and again to the the raw vocal stylings of the tune "Nach Malanga". With vocals that reminded me of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, this tune had a nearly hypnotic effect and begged to be replayed.